Silverways School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 148358 Inspection date 27/06/2011 Inspector Anne Faithfull

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1990. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Woodley, Berkshire. The childminder makes use of local facilities, such as parks and toddler groups. The childminder can take and collect children from local schools. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding four children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, on a full and part time basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a very secure, welcoming and homely family environment to all children in her care. Children excel and make very good progress in the care of this childminder, as she has a very good knowledge of each child's individual needs, characteristics and requirements. Excellent relationships are in place with parents and most information is shared. The childminder clearly understands that children lean through play, and provides them with stimulating and exciting learning experiences. The childminder has very effective systems in place to evaluate her service, and is totally committed to continuous improvement and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 extend the assessment system to include comments from parents regarding the progress and achievements their child has already made at home.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development needs are met exceptionally well by the dedicated and very experienced childminder. Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has a very clear understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect children in her care. She regularly accesses information This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regarding the latest safeguarding issues, to keep her up to date with the local procedures and contact numbers. The childminder uses her many years of experience of looking after children, to provide children with a stimulating and homely environment where they feel safe and included. Children are able to move freely around the home as the childminder conducts a wide range of risk assessments that are supported by rigorous daily safety checks. Children's safety is paramount to the childminder, and she receives regular safety updates and

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the early years provision

activities for the children to complete from the Child Accident Prevention Trust. The activities help the children to begin to recognise safety issues and develop their own awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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the early years provision

Children can make independent choices regarding the toys and resources they wish to use, as the childminder ensures they are readily accessible in the very child-orientated playroom and other areas of the home. The childminder regularly rotates all the toys and resources to ensure children do not become bored. Equality and diversity is promoted well in a variety of ways by the childminder. For example, all children readily welcome any new children and accept their differences and individuality. The childminder ensures all children are included in all activities and experiences provided, and when required she adapts them to suit the childrens' abilities and stages of development. The childminder is deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all children and their families. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported very effectively, as the childminder learns familiar words in their home language.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops excellent and supportive relationships with parents, and works extremely closely with them to enable her to meet every child's specific needs. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's day through verbal discussion and the daily dairy. Parents make many positive comments in their reference letters. They comment on the wide range of activities provided, as well as how happy and at ease their children are with her family. They find the childminder very approachable and appreciate her warm and professional approach. The childminder has developed strong links with other settings the children attend, and information is shared to ensure the continuity of care and learning. The childminder is very committed to on-going training and development. She has attended a number of courses since her last inspection, including an autism awareness course, and she regularly obtains information from a variety of sources,

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the early years provision

including the internet. The completion of the Ofsted self-evaluation form, combined with purposeful reflection that includes children's comments and reactions to activities provided, demonstrates the childminders commitment to further enhancing and promoting the outcomes for children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident, settled, extremely happy and secure in the childminder's care. Children are very well behaved as the childminder is an excellent role model, and children automatically share the toys and resources when required. Older children readily help and include the younger children in their play. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 spontaneously approach visitors to the home to show them the toys they are using, and they enjoy sitting with the childminder for a cuddle while looking at books with her. Excellent relationships are in place with the childminder's own family. For example, children readily look forward to greeting the childminder's husband when they hear his motorbike on the drive.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in this stimulating learning and caring environment, because the childminder supports all children well in their learning and she encourages their early interests and inquisitiveness. Flexible planning is in place and totally reflects the interests and spontaneity of the children. Children have their own file where the childminder records the observations she makes, and she uses these observations effectively to help identify and plan for the children's next steps in their learning. Although each child's file is shared with their parent, currently the childminder does not seek their views on the development and achievements their child has made at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills for the future as they use the kitchen and outdoor compost bins to re-cycle food and garden waste, such as apples. They access a range of electronic toys and show great dexterity when using the computer. Children are beginning to be aware of number, shape and size as the childminder uses everyday events. For instance, they count the number of apples and weigh them when out shopping. Children's communications skills are developing well as the childminder constantly talks to them and asks relevant questions, such as 'what is it', and children are encouraged to point to the different items in the book that the childminder names. Children use their imagination well; they can choose the role play clothes they wish to wear, and readily make a pretend cup of tea for the childminder and visitors. The childminder recognises children's spontaneity well and provided a range of resources when a child arrived in the morning, and asked

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and outcomes for children

if they could make a card for their parent's anniversary.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to socialise with others, as the childminder regularly meets up with other childminders in the area for all the children to participate in a variety of activities and experiences. They readily celebrate a range of festivals in a variety of ways, including making flags for St George's day. Children are developing an understanding of nature as they look for bugs in the log pile in the garden, and regularly go to a local country park to feed the ducks and look at the different birds.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an excellent understanding of keeping healthy. They can access their drink when required, and the childminder provides them with a range of healthy snacks and home cooked meals when required. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of food safety as she has recently gained a food hygiene certificate, and ensures food provided by the parents is stored and heated up appropriately. Children who attend after school are given opportunities to rest and relax or play in the garden. All children are beginning to be aware of the safety procedures in place as they regularly practice the childminder's fire evacuation procedures with her and talk about road safety when they go out. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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